The Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Kentucky

It can be discouraging to be denied a bank account, but there is a way to solve the problem. And the good news is that there are banks and credit unions in Kentucky that offer second chance accounts. Even if you have bad credit or have been blacklisted by ChexSystems, you can get a new account.

What’s ChexSystems? If you’ve had unpaid fees or too many bounced checks, your bank history is flagged in the ChexSystems database. And the vast majority of banks and credit unions in Kentucky use ChexSystems to screen new accounts. Unfortunately, that record remains in the database for up to 5 years.

We’ve done the work of finding banks and credit unions who offer second chance checking accounts. Most have branches in the state, some are online, and others don’t use ChexSystems at all.

CheckingExpert has helped thousands of people just like you open second chance checking accounts. We’ve selected the best accounts in Kentucky for 2020 based on acceptance rates, checking account features and benefits, and the accounts with the lowest fees. Best of all, you can open an account today!

List of the Best Second Chance Banks and Credit Unions in Kentucky

BBVA Online Checking | Our Top Pick

BBVA Online Checking is our hands-down winner for the best second chance bank account for residents of Kentucky. They have the strongest offering of any of our recommendations. No hidden fees, no monthly minimums, and no monthly charges. BBVA uses EWS to screen applicants instead of ChexSystems, so it’s easy to get approved and takes about 3 minutes. Plus, their smartphone app and online tools are the best we’ve reviewed.

Why do we recommend BBVA Online Checking so highly? If you’ve got poor credit or find yourself on ChexSystems, BBVA will approve you for an account.

NO monthly fees or service charges

NO monthly account balance minimums

NO fees at over 64,000 Allpoint® and BBVA ATMs worldwide

FREE online banking, bill pay, and mobile deposits

FREE unlimited check writing

FREE Visa® debit card

Open with as little as $25

It’s simple to apply. The BBVA website is simple and easy to interact with. There is a $25 minimum deposit required to open an account. You’re online approval is immediate. BBVA is one of the most friendly banks for those who need a second chance at a checking account. The entire process from start to finish takes about 3 minutes.

Your BBVA Visa Debit Card allows you access to all BBVA ATMs and Allpoint ATMs. Allpoint ATMs can be found at these retailers and many more:

Our runner up is Chime Bank, which is a fully online banking experience. It is ideal for those looking for a second chance because Chime does not check your banking or credit history. This alternative to traditional banking features technology designed to work with your computer, tablet and smartphone. This keeps you connected with your money at all times. You’ll always know where you stand with real-time balance updates and transaction alerts.

We like how there are no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. In fact, Chime wants you to save your money. They offer automatic savings programs to make the savings process as simply as possible.

Chime also offers Fee-Free Overdraft protection. They will cover you up to $100 a month in overdrafts without charging you a fee. The overdraft is simply repaid when you make a deposit.

If you are looking for a second chance at banking, Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union offers a fresh start for all members. With only a $10 opening deposit and a $10 monthly service fee, you receive all of the normal checking perks. Your checking account includes:

An instantly issued Visa Check Card

myACFCU online services

Free bill pay

Monthly e-Statements

Early check deposits with direct deposit

ACFCU does not have minimum balance requirements or check writing charges. You also receive a free financial check-up to help you improve your credit score. To become a member you must live, work, worship or attend school in Clinton, Jackson, Wayne or McCrery County. You can also join if you have a relative who is already an ACFCU member.Learn More

Banterra Bank

Banterra is one of our favorite Illinois options for second chance banking. The Banterra Restart Basic and the Banterra Restart Checking both offer the opportunity to open a traditional checking after establishing a good checking relationship with Banterra. The only difference between the two accounts is the ability to write unlimited checks with a Restart Checking account.

All you need to open a Restart account is an opening balance of $50. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you choose to direct deposit your paycheck, your monthly service charge is reduced from $9.95 to $6.95. Both Restart accounts offer:

If your ChexSystems record is keeping you from a checking account, The Cecilian Bank wants to help you rebuild your financial reputation. With Choice Opportunity Checking, you have a second chance at successfully managing a checking account. You only need a $50 minimum deposit to open a Choice Opportunity account.

If you sign up for direct deposit, your monthly service fee is reduced to $8, a savings of $2 a month. In addition to unlimited check writing and debit transactions, you receive:

A free Visa debit card

Free online banking with statements

Free mobile banking and bill pay

No minimum balance requirements

The Cecilian Bank has seventeen locations in Kentucky. You can find branches in Bradenburg, Cecilia, Elizabethtown, Hardinsburg, Irvington, Leitchfield, Radcliff, Rineyville, Sonora and Vine Grove.Learn More

Centra Credit Union

The Opportunity Checking Account from Centra Credit Union is a good option for getting your finances in order. Credit unions traditionally offer a lot of perks to members. Opportunity Checking includes:

A Mastercard debit card

Online banking

BillPayer

Electronic statements

Phone banking

Unlimited check writing

With limits on debit card usage and check-cashing, CCU helps you stay on track. We like that they offer overdraft protection to Opportunity Checking account holders.

To become a CCU member, you must first open a savings account with a $5 minimum deposit. You must live, work, worship or study in Bullitt, Jefferson, Henry, Shelby, Oldham, Trimble or Spencer County. There are multiple convenient branch locations in Louisville, Kentucky.Learn More

Central Bank

It only takes one year to rebuild your banking history with Central Bank. After 12 months of positive checking with a Clean Start account, you can request to move into a traditional account.

We consider Clean Start one of the easiest accounts to open. The initial opening deposit is only $10. If you sign up for direct deposit, your monthly service fee is reduced from $10 to $8. As an added perk, if you have a loan through Central Bank, you receive a 0.50% loan discount when you sign up for automatic payments from your checking.

To open the account, you need a $25 minimum deposit. Although there is no minimum balance requirement, you do have a $10 monthly service fee. Signing up for direct deposit lowers your monthly fee to $8.

Clean Slate Checking allows you to keep track of your spending through free online banking, free mobile banking and convenient eStatements. You are required to have the account open for at least 180 days.

City National Bank helps you get back on track with Bounce Back Checking. City National Bank understands that mistakes happen, and Bounce Back account holders have their first two non-sufficient funds fees waived.

Low fees help you keep your money where it belongs–in your account. There are no minimum balance requirements. If you sign up for direct deposit, your monthly fee is only $6.99.

All City National Bank accounts feature:

Free eStatements

Free mobile banking

Free online banking and bill pay

Free text banking

Access to more than 90 branches and ATMs

City National Bank has many convenient locations in Northern Kentucky.Learn More

Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union

If you have past checking account problems, Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union’s Opportunity Checking offers you a second chance. This simple checking account has a low monthly fee of $7.50. After 12 months of good banking habits, you are eligible to move into a free Debit Rewards Checking account.

With Opportunity Checking, you have the choice of either an ATM or a debit card. You receive:

Free online banking and bill pay

Direct deposit

No minimum balance requirements

Standard checking fees for non-sufficient funds

Access to overdraft protection upon application

Up to 10 free ATM withdrawals each month

Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union has locations in Bowling Green, Henderson, Louisville and Owensboro. You can apply for membership online or in person. You don’t have to be a teacher to join, ETFCU has thousands of ways to be eligible.Learn More

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank offers you options rarely found in a bank. All of their checking accounts options are available as long as you don’t have a history of fraud or owe money to Fifth Third. You can choose the best fit for your financial needs.

We like the Fifth Third Express Banking account for how simple it is. This account has no service charges. We like how it keeps you in touch with your money through online and mobile banking. You receive a Fifth Third debit card, but you don’t have check writing abilities.

If you wish to write checks and use online bill pay, Fifth Third Essentials Checking has an $11 monthly service fee, which can be waived by meeting various requirements. As an added bonus, Essentials Checking earns interest.

You can apply online or visit one of the sixteen locations in central Kentucky.Learn More

First Financial Bank

First Financial Bank’s CLEANslate Checking offers a fresh start regardless of your checking history. There’s a $50 account opening fee, but no minimum balance moving forward. The monthly fee is $10 and you get quite a few perks along with it.

You’ll receive a debit card along with free ATM access and you even get a free gift when you open at a banking center. There are also plenty of digital features, including mobile deposits and online and mobile banking. You can open a CLEANslate Checking account at one of First Financial’s locations in Burlington, Edgewood, Hebron, Frankfort, Harrodsburg, Lawrenceburg or Shelbyville.Learn More

First United Bank & Trust Company

First United Bank & Trust Company wants to help you leave the past behind and move forward with Fresh Start Checking. This is a check-only account, but you can request the addition of an ATM/Debit card. After a year of positive account balance, you have the option of moving into a traditional checking account.

You can open a Fresh Start Checking account online with a $10 setup fee and a $50 minimum opening deposit. There is a $14 a month service fee and no minimum balance requirements. First United Bank has locations in Earlington, Beaver Dam, Marion and Madisonville. The Madisonville, Marion and Beaver Dam locations can instantly issue a debit card when you open an account.Learn More

FNB Bank

Start Again Checking from FNB Bank is an excellent choice for a fresh start. If you’ve been turned down for checking accounts in the past, Start Again Checking is a simple way to rebuild a banking relationship.

Although there is a $100 minimum deposit, we like how easy FNB Bank makes managing your money through their in-branch Digital Guides. This service walks you through the process of using all of the online and mobile banking features offered with Start Again Checking. Don’t worry about getting it all under control in just one visit, you can always reach out to a Digital Guide for additional help at any time.

Start Again Checking has a $12 monthly service fee and no minimum balance requirements. You have unlimited check writing abilities. After twelve months of positive balance, you are eligible for a standard checking account.

Kentucky has FNB Bank locations in Mayfield, Paducah, Murray, Cadiz and Wingo.Learn More

Go Bank

GoBank is an online option for simple banking. All you need to do to open an account is to purchase a GoBank starter kit from a partner retailer and pass an identity verification. In return, you receive the ability to use a debit card for purchases and ATM withdrawals. You can also write checks to avoid expensive money order fees.

Deposits to your account can be made through mobile check deposit, direct deposit or by adding cash through participating retailers for a small fee. If you direct deposit over $500, your monthly maintenance fee of $8.95 is waived.

Account holders appreciate the ability to budget their money with the help of a mobile app, budgeting tools and a savings vault. There are many participating retailers, including Walgreens, CVS and Kroger.Learn More

GTE Financial

Go Further from GTE Financial helps put you on the path to a better checking account. If you don’t qualify for a traditional account, the Go Further account will help you get there in as little as 12 months. We consider this a low-cost second chance checking. As long as you make a total deposit of $500 for the month, opt to receive eStatements and make 15 monthly transactions, the $9.95 maintenance fee is waived.

GTE Financial is one of the largest credit unions in the US. Membership is open to anyone through easy requirements and an online application process. The Go Further account includes:

No matter your banking past, Navy Federal Credit Union offers traditional checking for all members in Alabama and across the US. With no review requirements of your banking history, NFCU is an excellent choice for active duty or retired US military, family members and government contractors. There are two banking choices to choose from: Active Duty Checking and Free eChecking.

Both account options come with a free NFCU debit card. There is no monthly service fee with direct deposit. Your account is protected from overdrafts with free savings transfers, a checking line of credit or an optional overdraft protection service. You also receive:

Peoples Cash Solutions understands that being denied a checking account for bad credit or problems with ChexSystems or TeleCheck isn’t a good feeling. If you haven’t been involved in fraudulent activity, all you need is a fresh start. You can find it with the Second Chance Checking account from Peoples Cash Solutions.

Second Chance Checking offers easy direct deposit to save you time and money by eliminating the check cashing process. Your access to your money is simple through a Peoples Cash Solutions debit Mastercard. Other convenient features include:

Online banking

Online money transfers

Online bill pay

A personal checkbook

ATM access

You can apply online with a $30 minimum deposit. There is a monthly maintenance fee of $4.95 for Second Chance Checking through Peoples Cash Solutions.Learn More

Radius Bank

You do not need a perfect banking history to open an Essential Checking account through Radius Bank. Designed to help you manage your money, this is an excellent opportunity to start over.

All you need is a $10 minimum opening deposit. After that, you have no minimum balance requirements. There is a monthly service charge of $9, but you can apply for a free checking account after 12 months of positive banking history.

Republic Bank gives those who have paid their old debts a second chance at rebuilding their banking relationship with the Checking Builder Account. This is an affordable second chance checking option with an initial opening deposit of only $50. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you sign up for direct deposit, the $12.95 monthly fee is reduced to $7.95.

Republic Bank Checking Builder gives you a full-service checking experience. You receive unlimited debit card transactions and unlimited check writing. You are also eligible to open savings accounts. Other features include:

There are multiple locations in Kentucky, including branches in Florence, Covington and Crestview Hills.Learn More

SoFi Money

If you are looking to save money, SoFi Money is our top choice for a non-traditional banking option. We recommend this online money management account to those who are tech savvy. One of the biggest perks is there aren’t any account fees. ATM fees are reimbursed, transfers are free and you have no minimum balance requirements. You don’t even need an initial deposit to set up your account.

SoFi will even pay you through a high-yield interest rate on your checking balance. If you sign up for SoFi Money and make two direct deposits of at least $500 each, SoFi will give you a $75 cash bonus.

The sign up process takes only a few minutes because SoFi does not use ChexSystems to approve accounts. After opening your account, you receive a SoFi debit Mastercard for use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The easy-to-use mobile app keeps you in control of your money and offers bill pay, money transfers and educational services.Learn More

South Central Bank

Green Tree Renew Checking from South Central Bank gives you the opportunity to start over after banking difficulties. We recommend South Central Bank to those who live close to one of the Kentucky or Tennessee branches. All deposits into Green Tree Renew Checking accounts must be made at a branch location. However, you can gain mobile deposit privileges through a Free Checking account after 12 months of good standing.

All you need to open a Green Tree Renew Checking account is a minimum deposit of $50. If you sign up for direct deposit, the $12.95 monthly fee is reduced to $8.95. South Central Bank offers:

Formerly known as Western Federal, UNIFY Financial Credit Union understands the need for a fresh start. Their Right Start Checking is a solid choice for second chance checking. UFCY makes it easy with a $25 opening deposit and no minimum balance requirement or monthly service charge.

All UNIFY checking accounts include:

Free online eBanking

Free Visa debit card

Free UNIFY ATM access

Free online eStatements

No check fees

Right Start checking also includes fee-free overdraft protection from your savings account.

UNIFY is a national credit union with hundreds of partners. If you aren’t associated with a partner company, employer or community, membership is possible through a donation to the Surfrider Foundation of the Friends of Hobbs. The online application process is designed to help you find your best membership path.Learn More

US Bank

US Bank offers you a new start with a Safe Debit Account. Not having check writing abilities is seen as a plus by US Bank. By only offering a debit card, the Safe Debit Account keeps you from accidentally overdrawing your account. If an overdraft does happen, US Bank will not charge you a fee. Your only fee is a $4.95 Safe Debit Account monthly maintenance fee.

The Safe Debit Account features:

A US Bank Visa debit card

Online banking and bill pay

Mobile banking with mobile check deposit

Discounts on money orders

US Bank also helps you build a better credit future with free access to the TransUnion Creditview Dashboard through your online banking. You can use this financial tool to see your VantageScore 3.0 credit score and see what minor changes in your behaviors can do for your future.

Application is easy through the fast and secure online application. You can also apply in person at one of the multiple US Bank locations in Kentucky.Learn More

Varo Bank

Varo Bank is another internet-only bank with services based on their mobile apps for Apple and Android devices. Varo doesn’t charge fees at 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs and offers strong budgeting tools and automatic savings programs.

When you open an account at Varo you can do so with no initial deposit. Plus, there are never any monthly maintenance fees, foreign transaction fees, transfer fees, or debit card replacement fees.

Finally, if Varo receives a payroll notification before your payday, it can deposit your money more quickly than many banks.Learn More

Washington Savings Bank

Washington Savings Bank gives you the opportunity to start fresh with their Online Rewards Checking. We understand that you need an account with easy accessibility and plenty of options. Washington Savings Bank provides all the perks you need to rebuild your banking relationship.

With relaxed CheckSystems requirements, you’ll find it is easy to open an Online Rewards account. All you need is a minimum deposit of $10 and an online application. There is no minimum balance requirement, but there is a $14.95 monthly fee. After a year of good standing, you can convert your account to a free checking plan.

Wells Fargo’s Opportunity Checking is a top choice for second chance checking from a national bank. If your credit or banking history is standing in the way of opening a checking account, Opportunity Checking can give you a fresh start. You can easily open the account online or in person with a $25 minimum initial deposit.

Your $10 monthly service fee is waived when you make 10 or more debit card transactions a month, have a $1,500 minimum daily balance or have total direct deposits of over $500.

Woodforest National Bank’s Second Chance checking is designed for those with previous banking account challenges. With a minimum initial deposit of only $25 and a $9 one-time account fee, you can begin to build a positive banking relationship.

You can lower your Second Chance monthly maintenance fee from $11.95 to $9.95 by setting up monthly direct deposit. Woodforest offers:

Online banking

A mobile banking app

Woodforest Debit Card

Overdraft solutions

Free platinum debit card

All services are easily managed online or in person at branches in Walmart Supercenters across the US. There are multiple Kentucky locations, especially in the Louisville and Lexington areas.Learn More

Did we leave your financial institution off this list? Has there been a change in any of the listings? Please let us know.